File for office

Complete the affidavit of candidacy

In order to file for office, you need to fill out an affidavit of candidacy (PDF, 1MB). See the Filing process section of this page to learn where to file the affidavit.

Complete a nominating petition

If you are running as a member of a major political party or for a nonpartisan office, you do not need to file a nominating petition.

If you are running for a partisan office but not as a member of a major political party, then you must file a nominating petition (PDF, 1MB) with the required number of signatures. The number of signatures you need depends on what office you are running for. For county or legislative offices, you need 500 signatures. The signatures must be of eligible voters who live in the district, and you must obtain the signatures during the filing period.

Who files with Hennepin County

Candidates for:

• County office
• State or judicial office and you reside in Hennepin County

2024 filing dates 

Local offices with a potential primary

• Filing opens – May 21
• Filing closes – June 4 at 5 p.m.
• Withdrawal period ends – June 6 at 5 p.m.

Local offices without a primary

• Filing opens –July 30
• Filing closes – August 13 at 5 p.m.
• Withdrawal period ends – August 15 at 5 p.m.

Fee information

When you file, submit the one of the following with the affidavit:

• Filing fee
• Petition in place of filing fee

If you need to file a nominating petition and a petition in place of a filing fee, you can use a combined nominating petition and petition in place of filing fee (PDF, 1MB).

Where to file

• Federal offices – the Minnesota Secretary of State
• State and judicial offices – either the Minnesota Secretary of State or the county in which you reside
• County offices – Hennepin County elections, Government Center (skyway level)
• City offices – the city clerk
• School district offices – the school district clerk

Filing process by mail

1. Complete the affidavit of candidacy (PDF, 1MB).
2. Determine appropriate filing fee.
3. Submit affidavit and payment (check made out to Hennepin County Treasurer). Mail to:
   
   Hennepin County Elections
   Hennepin County Government Center
   300 S Sixth St, MC 680
   Minneapolis, MN 55487-0012


4. Affidavit and payment must be received during the candidate filing dates.
5. Please include email address on the affidavit, confirmation of filing will be emailed.
6. Candidate Filing Packet will be mailed to the campaign or residential address.

All candidates

• Must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Must have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
• Must be 21 years of age or more upon assuming office
• Must have maintained residence in their district for at least 30 days before the general election

Governor or Lieutenant Governor

• Must have participated in the party's most recent precinct caucuses, or intend to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next general election
• Must be at least 25 years old upon assuming office
• Must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election

Judicial Offices

• Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota
• Must not be over 70 years of age before the first Monday of next January

State Senator or Representative

• Must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election
• Must be a resident of their district for at least six months before the general election

County Sheriff

• Must be licensed as a peace officer in Minnesota

Holding two offices at the same time

• Minnesota Statutes provide that one person cannot hold certain combinations of offices at the same time, with very few exceptions.

Campaign signs

Local jurisdictions may have ordinances restricting the number and size of campaign signs. 

If a jurisdiction does not have a local ordinance, campaign signs may be posted in any size or any number. 

If a jurisdiction does have a local ordinance, campaign signs may be posted in any size or any number from 46 days before the state primary through 10 days following the state general election in an even year.

Right of way information from MnDOT

Multiple unit dwellings

Candidates and accompanying campaign volunteers are allowed access to multiple unit facilities (i.e. apartment, dormitory, nursing home) to knock on doors of individual units, conduct voter registration activities, and leave campaign materials for residents. 

This access:

• Does not include admittance into a particular apartment, room, or residential unit
• Requires identification as a prerequisite
• Limits visits to a reasonable number of persons and reasonable hours
• Requires a prior appointment to gain access to the facility

Campaigning near or within the polling place

Campaigning is not allowed inside the polling place or within 100 feet of the building. If the polling place is on public property, no one can campaign anywhere on the property, even beyond 100 feet.

Individuals cannot display campaign t-shirts, buttons, or literature relating to specific candidates, official political parties, or ballot questions on the ballot that day. These political materials will need to be covered up or removed while in the polling place.

Violations of fair campaign practices should be submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings

Helpful links:

• Minnesota Secretary Of State - Campaigning
• Cybersecurity Campaign Playbook